Rein-support



, REIN SUPPORT.

4 (No Modl.)

Patented Dec. 18, 1894.

' 'No.531,1-7s.

In #517 far f flw UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

CHARLES nronn, or CINCINNATI, OHIO. l

REIN-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,173, dated December18, 1894.

Application filed July 7, 1894- Serial No. 516,797. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. FORD, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Cincinnati, Hamilton county, State of Ohio,

have invented new'and useful Improvements in Adjustable Rein-Supports;and I do do: clare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it ap- Io pertains to make and use the same, attentionbeing called to the accompanying drawings, with the reference-numeralsmarked thereon, which forma part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in I 5 devices used for thepurpose of supporting the reins whereby horses while pulling vehicles,are managed and guided. Such support isdesirable for the purpose ofholding up the lines to prevent entanglement with the 2o horsestailwhich is the source of many accidents.

The object of this invention is to have such a support constructed andheld in position in a manner that it in no way interferes with themanagement of the reins permitting always a pull in a straight line byadjusting itself to the position of the reins.

In the following specification and particularly pointed out in theclaims, is found a full description of my invention, its operation,parts and construction, the latter being illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1, shows in a perspective view the 3 5 deviceas it appears when attached in position to a vehicle. Fig. 2, is adetached, enlarged elevation of the same partly in section. Fig. 3, is adetached, enlarged perspective view showing a modified-construction. 0 I6, is the rein-holder proper, consisting substantially of a loop throughwhich. the reins 7 pass and which is carried by standard 8, resting in asocket 9. This loop is partly open in its upper part, to permit quickand convenient insertion or removal of the reins.

From the lower end of the socket 9 depends a sleeve 10, through which apost 11, passes on which by means of a set-screw 12, socket 9 isadjustably held and whereby the height of loop 6 may be regulated so asto be at a proper distance above the body of the horse. Standard 8 isheld within socket 9 by a setscrew 13. In order to facilitate themanagement of the reins as much as possible, this standard shouldbe'capableof yieldinglater- 5 5 ally in all directions, so that forinstance in turning, loop 6 is capable to follow the reins sidewise andpermits them to still pass i-na direotline to the horse, instead ofassuming a broken line by reason of being deflected by l a rigidrein-support. Such lateral yield is provided by making standard 8elastic and such elasticity may be obtained either by the selection ofthe proper material, or by constructive means, or by a combination ofboth. Thus for instance either steel-wire or rubber,

or a combination of both may be used. The form I prefer however is wirein shape of. a coil spring, as shown, of sufficient size to support theweight of the reins andby reason of its construction yielding in everyconceivable-direction which may occur. In this case the loop is formedout of the material of the standard and the wire is bent out to one sidefirst, to form one half of the loop and then it is returned and bent outto the other side to form the other half of the loop. The end of thewire is turned into the upper end of the coil where it is held by a plug14. When desirable an anti-friction roller 15, upon which the the reinsrest, may be inserted before the loop is completed, being supported onthat part of the wire which passes from one end of the loop to the otherand in the lower part thereof as shown in Fig. 3;

The lower end of post 11, forms one part 17 of a clamp, the other part18, sliding onthe'post, whereby the whole device is fix- -edly held inposition on a suitablej'place at the vehicle gear. Part 18 is adjustedto the 0 proper height and held in place by a set-screw 19. 20 is anadditional set-screw to assist the retention of the device. These meansmay be modified to meet the shape of the parts to which the device is tobe attached, as well as 5 post 11, the lower end of which may be bent ineither direction to meet parts of the vehicle either in front, or belowand rearwardly of the dash-board to secure the device to.

As will be readily seen the reins are always held above the body of thehorse while by reason of the elastic standard the rein-holdercontinually adjusts itself to their position to permit them to be kepttaut always passing in a straight direction from the driver to the headof the horse.

Having described my invention, I claim as new- 1. In arein-support, thecombination oi. the open loop 6, adapted to receive and retain thereins, an upright coil-spring which supports the same and a socketwithin which the lower end of the coil-spring rests and which is.

adapted to be rigidly secured to the vehicle.

2; In an adjustable rein-support, the combination of the open loop 6,adapted to receive and retain the reins, a resilient standard which.carries the loop, a socket 9 in which the standard rests, a post 11 towhich socket 9 is adjustably secured and means nstably secured andmeanswhereby post 11 is held in position on the vehicle.

5. In an adjustable rein-support, the co1nbination of an open wire-loop6, a standard for it formed by a coil-spring, a plug 14, in the upperend of the coil-spring, to secure the free end of the wire of the loopand means whereby the standard is supported on the vehicle.

6. In an adjustable rein-support, the combination of the open loop 6, ananti-friction roller 15, carried by it in thelower part of the same, aresilient standard which carries the loop and means whereby the standardis secured to the vehicle.

7. In a rein-support the combination of a standard consisting ofcoil-spring, an open loop 6, at the upper end thereof, an antifrictionroller 15, at the lower part of the loop and means whereby the lower endof the spring standard is secured to the vehicle.

In testimony whereof I ai'iix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. FORD.

Witnesses:

C. SPENGEL, WM. KRAMER.

